Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma Announces Casting for 50th Anniversary Season

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma today announced major casting decisions for its 50th Anniversary Season in 2013, featuring new and returning national talent including Helen Hedman, Eleasha Gamble, Mel Sagrado Maghuyop, Heather Geery-Mayfield and Tom Huston Orr. Scenic Designer Adam Koch (MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET) will also return to provide set design for TARZAN and BIG RIVER.

"We're very excited to have these nationally recognized artists join us for our 2013 Season," said Michael Baron, Lyric's artistic director. "Their desire to work at Lyric is a testament to the high artistic quality of our productions and there is no better time to celebrate this than during our 50th Anniversary."

Accomplished Washington, D.C. actress Hedman will perform with Lyric for the first time March 27 through April 13 as Amanda in Tennessee Williams' emotional play THE GLASS MENAGERIE, directed by Baron, at the Plaza Theatre. Her most recent credits include A DELICATE BALANCE, LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Arena Stage. The actress also worked with Baron on the current production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Ford's Theatre.

Gamble last appeared in a Lyric production as Nancy in OLIVER! during the summer of 2011 and she will return to play Kala in TARZAN, June 25 through 29, at the Civic Center Music Hall. Gamble's most recent stage credits include FIRST YOU DREAM: THE MUSIC OF KANDER AND EBB at The Kennedy Center, DREAMGIRLS at The Marriott Theatre and OKLAHOMA! at Arena Stage.

Maghuyop will travel to Oklahoma from New York City to portray The King of Siam in THE KING AND I, July 9 through 13, at the Civic Center Music Hall. This is not the actor's first time tackling the role, as he played the part at Walnut Street Theatre in November 2011. Maghuyop is also a volunteer police officer with the NYPD.

Two regional favorites, Geery-Mayfield and Orr will also join the Lyric casts in 2013. Geery-Mayfield will appear alongside Maghuyop as Anna in THE KING AND I. Her most recent regional credits include BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at West Virginia Public Theatre and A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Theatreworks USA. Orr will portray "Oklahoma's favorite son" Will Rogers in THE Will Rogers FOLLIES, July 23 through 27 at the Civic Center Music Hall. Orr was most recently seen as Bob Cratchit in LYRIC'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He also acts as the James Garner Chair and Director at the University of Oklahoma School of Drama.

Koch, a 2009 Helen Hayes Award nominee for Stage Design, was the mastermind behind Lyric's sets for BYE BYE BIRDIE, SWEET CHARITY and CALL ME MADAM in the summer of 2012. His work on the three shows was featured in an October 2012 article in Stage Directions magazine. Koch's work on the TARZAN and BIG RIVER sets this summer is much anticipated. Two of his most notable set designs are Signature Theatre's DREAMGIRLS and the critically acclaimed MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET.

More casting decisions will be announced soon. Tickets to all of Lyric's 2013 shows are now on sale. To buy tickets, visit Lyric's box office at 1727 NW 16th Street, call (405) 524-9312 or visit LyricTheatreOKC.com.